The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-10-08

CONCERNING the pleasant possibilities
of this uncertain country many blood
curdling tales are told of occurrences
in the past. which might easily be re-
peatcd in the present with sufficient in
centive. lam aware that to mention
these things is to bring ones self into
deep disfavor, not only with the Next
cans, but more particularly with GER
tain Americans in business here, who
endcavor TO make it so warm for the
too outspoken journalists that he or she
finds it safer TO journey northward
with expedition; but since my inform
ants were ON American editor in the
City of Mexico (whose name l would
willingly disclose) and several Next
cans to the manner born, perhaps the
recital of one or two of these historic
happenings may be excused.
A few years ago good deal of kid
naping was carried on in Mexico,
money having been generally the OBJ
ject. Any body of wealth and infu-
ence was liable to be seized in an I'M
guarded moment and seldom, indeed,
were the victims ever heard of again,
unless their friends "came down" most
handsomely. The modus operandi, af-
ter man had been secured and hidden,
was to post notices here and there within
sight of his family, sometimes they were
pinned up ku-kluX fashion, with dag
ger, or decorated with skulls and cross
demonstrating what sum of money was
required to be left within given time
at q certain spot to ransom their rela-
tive, and plainly intimating that non
compliance with the demand would
seal his death-warrant. When the
money was promptly paid the kidnap-
ed persons were usually released, ac-
cording to promise; but in many in
stances a fresh demand was made, fol-
lowed by another and another, as long
as there was the slightest prospect of
further gain.
One of the most celebrated cases of
this kind was that of General Cervantes,
which occurred, believe, in 1874. He
was prominent politician, in the
prime of life, belonging TO a family OF
great wealth and influence, and the
mismeants who captured him well
knew that his people would move
heaven and earth for his release Well,
days and weeks went by, and though
the country was secured for the miss.
ing man no trace of him was discov.
cred or was likely to be so long rs a
penny could be gained by his retention.
His family spent thousands of dollars
in the vain search, and in repeatedly
dcpositing large sums of money for his
ransom, MS indicated by mysteriou,
placards, until they were completely
impoverished, and then, moved by the
tears of his distracted young wife anC
the prayers of his aged mother, the
Government offered a considerable
amount for his restoration. But still
no Cervautes appeared, At last, by
the merest accident, he was discovered
in the heart OF the populous city anC
within stones throw of his own dwell
ing-under the floor of a deserted
house, lying fiat upon his back in
place barely wide enough to hold him
gagged. bound hand and foot, will
several well-sharpened daggers thrus
within a ha RS breadth of his body 81
would have pierced him. Having re
manned long in this terrible condition
he was barely alive when found, and i
was only after weeks of careful nurs
ing. during which time he lay speech
less and his life hung by a thread, tina
he was able to tell of his adventures
aud meantime, of course, the miscre
ants had ample opportunity to escape